The elusive art of NGO literacy

AUTHOR(S)

Marshall, Judith

PUB. DATE

March 1991

SOURCE

Convergence;1991, Vol. 24 Issue 1/2, p93

SOURCE TYPE

Academic Journal

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

Presents issues in the promotion of adult literacy by non-governmental organizations as discussed during a world-wide consultation on NGO literacy held Windhoek, Namibia, in October 1990. Definition of functional literacy; Question of mother tongue versus bicultural literacy; Labor agenda for literacy; Funding; Literacy, war and occupation.

Focuses on the social problems associated with the lack of universal adult literacy in the United States. Lack of accountability in adult literacy programs; Lack of interest by illiterates; Combination of literacy training with drug and alcohol rehabilitation for the homeless.

Reports on the problem of adult literacy in America. Lack of attention to adult-literacy needs; Estimate of the number of adults in need of retraining or developing even the most basic literary skills as being the same as that of the entire national school-age population; Results of National...

Focuses on international comparisons of adult literacy. Literacy as a tool necessary for successful economic performance in industrialized countries; Influence of a country's quality and quantity of formal education on literacy levels within countries; Comparison of adult literacy between the...

Editorial. Discusses the changes that affect the texts and literate practices of everyday life. Most useful component of the tool kit for all literacy educators; Period that marked out the ascendancy and evolution of many genres that have since become central to teaching; Radical development...

Presents the authors' stand in literacy education and the types of books that will be reviewed in the periodical `Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy.' Autobiography of the authors; Perception regarding literacy education; Qualities of people who will be asked to review books.

Explores commonly held truths about adult literacy and the reality from a research and development perspective. Potential fields that need to be explored; New developments that may open opportunities for change.

Presents the results of the survey conducted by the Department of Education on the number of adult Americans who can read and write decently. Half of Americans over the age of 15 with low levels of reading and writing; Hopes for schools and businesses to support adult literacy and skills...